Dealership car washes

[Porcupine]

I've always hated washing my car. I don't think I'll hate washing my MS3, but with the dealership offering free car washes for life, I think I might just take them up on their offer.

What kind of wash can I expect at the dealership and would I be taking advantage of them if I take my car in once a week?

 

[jdm justin]

i forsee scratches and swirls in your future (freak)

 

[FrequentFlyer]

A quick, careless wash from some 17 year old car porter using a sponge that he dropped on the ground 15 times before he washes your car. Sound appealing?

 

[MikeHTally]

Is 15 times the new limit?

 

[numbnuts22715]

my dealership has a touchfree drive through car wash.

 

[Kain]

Is this laziness speaking? Wash your own car, show some care in ownership.

 

[FrequentFlyer]

Is 15 times the new limit?

That doesn't include the towel he uses to dry it.

Most of those "touchfree" washes suck. They really don't work well unless your car is freshly waxed and there's a little bit of dust on the surface. They definitely don't get grime off the car like a good old washmitt and soap.

 

[mr_mazda329]

Why would you let let someone else F*** up your paint finish? Just do it yourself and have the dealership offer you something else for free...like a gas card.

 

[NCZ13]

your finish will be ruined. Look on some detailing websites, and do a search for dealership horror stories, and im sure youll find a ton of threads and pictures.

 

[Porcupine]

Little bit of laziness, and I kind of knew the "free car washes for life" deal was too good to be true. Looking at following this detailing guide once a week. (just ordered the Sonus ultimate wash kit)

I'll also probably end up buying a car cover (no garage for me ). Here in Los Angeles, the wind delivers a nice layer of sand every day.

 

[controlo]

Little bit of laziness, and I kind of knew the "free car washes for life" deal was too good to be true. Looking at following this detailing guide once a week. (just ordered the Sonus ultimate wash kit)

I'll also probably end up buying a car cover (no garage for me ). Here in Los Angeles, the wind delivers a nice layer of sand every day.

dang. you turned around quick.

he went from dealer washes to ordering top notch detailing materials. haha. way to go guys!

you're so much better off never washing the car than you would be to let any dealership EVER touch it.

lolz at previous responses.

 

[Je5ter]

I work for a Benz dealer and trust me I would never let a dealership wash my car. The car washers at my place **** up cars all the time. I don't think most of our customers even notice though, they are too busy trying to be seen rather then looking at their car. I was had our car awashers wash my car thinking that they would take extra car of my car.. BIG mistake, they even got scratches on the wind shield... I don't know where they got the sand paper from.. Luckily my car is white and I can barely see the scratches.. Trust me do not let a dealer wash your car!

 

[jaxmazda5]

Sonus huh? You must have visited the Autopia website. That place willget your mind back on the right track.

Touchless car washes do little for tough grime but the recycled dirty water and harsh wax stripping chemicals just aren't good for your cars paint. especially soft mazda paint.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

LMAO... I am sure they have a touchless drive through. No dif. than a gas station wash. If that is what it takes for you to keep your car clean great. No dealership is going to pay a Porter to hand wash your car for you. I have big *****DO NOT WASH**** when they enter my vin or name at my dealership. They know better than to touch mine any more.

 

[Super Unique]

One of my many jobs while younger was washing and detailing cars. I learned the proper way to do it, and did not damage cars. I guess they don't instill a good work ethic anymore.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

I dont know that work "ethic" is what the problem is. often importance isnt put on quality any more, it is put on productivity and revenue generation, then quality. The idea behind free car washes is getting you into that dealership as frequently as possible. It does help you though in some ways, they stay familiar with your car, they log everything and will know you. They will then be less likely to hassle you for modding.

 

[Super Unique]

I dont know that work "ethic" is what the problem is. often importance isnt put on quality any more, it is put on productivity and revenue generation, then quality. The idea behind free car washes is getting you into that dealership as frequently as possible. It does help you though in some ways, they stay familiar with your car, they log everything and will know you. They will then be less likely to hassle you for modding.

If the price for warranty repair is fawked paint, I will pass. I already go to them for oil changes, and sometimes they cant do that correctly on the first try....

 

[Porcupine]

Sonus huh? You must have visited the Autopia website.

Yup Package should be here tomorrow. Plan on getting up nice and early (to beat sun).

 

[FrequentFlyer]

I work for a Benz dealer and trust me I would never let a dealership wash my car. The car washers at my place **** up cars all the time. I don't think most of our customers even notice though, they are too busy trying to be seen rather then looking at their car. I was had our car awashers wash my car thinking that they would take extra car of my car.. BIG mistake, they even got scratches on the wind shield... I don't know where they got the sand paper from.. Luckily my car is white and I can barely see the scratches.. Trust me do not let a dealer wash your car!

Like I said, they drop the sponge or the towel on the ground and get sand, dirt, pebbles, you name it lodged into it and then scrub away on your car. Only thing that could scratch glass is sand or rocks.

 

[J-Villa]

my dealer has a bay w/ the mechanical carwash setup you see at a gas station w/ the big covered wheels that trap the dirt and then rub all over your car.

When I had my 4runner, I let the dealer wash it b/c the paint was bad anyways, and it would only clean half the car pretty much. Only the outermost surface is cleaned, so like on the back bumper, u could see dirty spots and what not... ewww

Just wash your own cars ya'll.